Asia Pac

Flutter Entertainment Plc has announced its decision to withdraw its Junglee Games subsidiary from India, following the introduction of new laws prohibiting Real Money Games (RMG).

On Friday, the Lok Sabha authorised the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, a federal mandate which seeks to implement a legislative framework governing India’s gaming sector.

Among its provisions, the Bill includes three dedicated chapters (5 to 7) that define the legal parameters of RMG, which are now no longer permitted. It categorises RMG as: “any online game—whether based on skill, chance, or both—played by a user by paying a fee, depositing money, or other stakes, in the expectation of winning, which entails monetary or other enrichment in return.”

In its announcement, Flutter stated that it is responding to an “exceptionally short timeframe, having only been introduced into Parliament on 20 August 2025, and without a consultation process with industry stakeholders to consider the significant adverse consequences of this action.”

Flutter maintains that it has always positioned Junglee as a social and skill-based gaming platform for Indian consumers—permitted under previous legal interpretations prior to the federal government’s recent determination.

In 2021, Flutter acquired a 51% majority stake in the San Francisco-based games studio Junglee Games for $70 million. The business, founded in 2013 by Ankush Gera, had grown into India’s largest community for rummy and other non-poker card games, with a player base of over 100 million.

According to its 2024 accounts, Junglee nearly doubled revenues (+91%), though its EBITDA performance was severely impacted by the introduction of India’s 28% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on gaming.

Markets were informed that: “Flutter’s Indian operations were expected to contribute approximately $200m in revenue and $50m in Adjusted EBITDA in 2025, with approximately half of the profits to be delivered in the second half of 2025.”

Further costs are anticipated as Flutter has yet to determine the full accounting implications of the decision, including any non-cash impairments to the Junglee business. Additional disclosures will be made in due course.

Despite withdrawing from RMG activity, Flutter’s leadership is evaluating options “to advocate for the restoration of the 70-year-old constitutional protections afforded to skill-based games.” At the same time, the group is working swiftly to adapt to the changed regulatory environment while continuing to promote the benefits of fully regulated products.

Peter Jackson, Flutter CEO
Flutter also reiterated its continued investment in India’s technology sector, having expanded its Hyderabad-based Global Capability Centre (GCC) to over 1,000 staff, supporting the growth of its entire global brand portfolio.

Peter Jackson, CEO of Flutter, commented:“I am extremely disappointed with the sudden changes to the regulatory landscape in India. Over the last four years, Junglee has invested significantly in its local market, building a workforce of over 1,100 employees to deliver innovative skill-based gaming products to Indian customers.

Central to this has been a strategy which prioritises consumer protections and responsible gaming. We believe this change will drive customers to the unregulated market, offering limited consumer protections and providing no contribution to the local economy. We believe in regulatory frameworks that put customers first, and are evaluating options to restore skill-based games in the Indian market.”

Weekend reports confirm that several prominent RMG studios—including Dream11, My11Circle, Zupee, Gameskraft, Mobile Premier League (MPL) and Probo—have shut down their real money operations in direct response to the government’s landmark decision.

In the case of Probo, the company has confirmed the closure of both its opinion trading app and its fantasy cricket platform, Team 11, marking a significant rollback of its product offerings.

The future of India’s digital gaming economy now hangs in the balance. Industry analysts estimate that over 400 active game studios and platforms are currently operating in the Indian market collectively valued at $4 billion in 2024— which must now evaluate whether to withdraw, restructure, or modify their offerings under the new regulatory regime.

Breaking headlines in India report that the government has been presented with a Bill to overhaul the rules and definitions of Real Money Games (RMG) and Games of Skill.

Branded as the “Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill (2025)” the full text of the Bill is yet to be published, but has been referenced by local media quoting ‘close sources’.

The Union Cabinet approved the draft on Tuesday afternoon, with sources expecting the legislation to be formally tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

International vs Local Coverage

Coverage has been split sharply between international and domestic media reporting on the Bill’s articles.

International wires, led by Reuters, frame the Bill as a blunt instrument that enforces a “hard prohibition”. The Reuters headlines emphasise India’s intention to “ban online games played with money”, presenting the measure as a direct assault on an industry that has attracted billions in foreign capital.

By contrast, local media outlets lean towards describing the move as a distinct regulatory overhaul. Reports in the Economic Times and Times of India suggest the government’s objective is not simply to outlaw gaming but to redefine what qualifies as Real Money Games. That means banning formats where money is staked, while expressly encouraging esports and non-monetary social gaming.

Commentary in The Hindu and Business Standard adds further nuance, stressing the government’s ambition to formalise a national framework. They note the Bill could eliminate today’s patchwork of state-level laws and conflicting bans, replacing them with a single, uniform code that would bring consistency across India’s fragmented online gaming sector.

What is reported?

Common themes reported in detail that the Bill will recommend a ban on advertising and endorsements of real-money game platforms and further prohibit banks and bar banks and non-banking financial services from processing financial transactions for games and platforms classified as RMG.

A much tougher enforcement is expected, with prescribed penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment and fines of up to ₹1 crore (€110,000) for operators, and up to two years or ₹50 lakh (€55,000) for advertisers.

The Bill is expected to grant centralised powers to federal authorities to restrict and prohibit consumer access to RMG platforms, including the use of direct IP blocking and the authority to terminate internet connections.

The draft is understood to have been prepared by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), with Cabinet ministers signalling strong support. The text reflects the recommendations of India’s Tech Council, which has pressed for the Union Cabinet to endorse the Finance Ministry’s move to apply a 40% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on gaming revenues.

Industry Fallout

The Economic Times warns that a sweeping ban on money games could hollow out India’s RMG sector, driving users offshore and costing the exchequer as much as ₹20,000 crore (€2.2 billion) in annual tax revenues. Industry leaders fear that the measure risks jobs, investment, and innovation, while leaving users vulnerable on unregulated platforms.

News of the federal government’s approach to regulating Real Money and Skill Games has dominated this summer. Amid a series of legal challenges, the Supreme Court announced it would review the legal boundaries of RMG and other formats in consultation with tech giants Google and Apple.

The consultation was prompted by high-profile cases before the Supreme Court concerning the involvement of celebrities, athletes, and Bollywood stars in promoting Real Money and Skill Games – an area where India lacks uniform legislation to define regulatory remits.

All eyes on the Lok

For now, the exact text remains unpublished. Observers expect the Lok Sabha to release the Bill upon its introduction on Wednesday. Only then will the contours of India’s gaming regulation prohibition, overhaul, or a mixture of both be fully understood.

Research firm, the Fourth Wall, has identified the key differences between the regulated and the unregulated markets in the Philippines, sharing severe concerns over the continued offering of e-sabong, also known as cockfighting.

Utilisation of promotions was also integral to the differences between the two sectors, with promotions for the unlicensed sector being more prevalent and having elevated incentives compared to the regulated sector.

High value bonuses of up to 108% were found as being used to entice players on the unregulated market, underpinning the challenges faced by the regulated market in terms of competing.

At the heart of the differentiation in marketing approaches is the affiliate strategy undertaken by both the regulated and the unregulated sector.

The report revealed that many unregulated operators provide lucrative affiliate programs, sometimes offering 45–65% of Gross Gaming Revenue to attract strong collaborations.

The presence of e-sabong also caused concern, as unregulated operators continue to offer the illegal sport and even tap into audiences that engage with the sport through private groups.

John Brylle L. Bae, Research Director at The Fourth Wall, stated: “Our latest report demonstrates how prohibited games like e-sabong remain easily accessible on unregulated platforms even to high-profile figures, underscoring persistent enforcement challenges.

“Our report shows that the operational differences between regulated and unregulated platforms do not just define how platforms function but also shape the risks and potential harms players face, especially in unregulated spaces.”

He also revealed the need for targeted enforcement and increased public awareness as the threat of the sector continues to grow.

Unsurprisingly, the KYC approach of the unregulated sector is minimal, and according to the report elevates the level of risk associated with the sector – enabling underage players to engage with unregulated gambling sites.

The report also provides details of the impact of payment limitations on the sector and the AML checks implemented by the regulated market.

It leads to the experience of the unregulated market being more frictionless as the challenge for the regulated market to compete intensifies significantly.

The report arrives as the market sits at a crossroads of a vital moment for the gambling sector in the Philippines, with it being reported that a total of four bills, three resolutions and a privilege speech addressing the impact of the online gaming industry will be discussed by the Philippine Senate’s committee on games and amusements.

The outcome will determine whether the industry will be subject to tighter regulations or a total ban.

While increased regulation is not always preferable for the development of an industry, it is clear that change is afoot and greater scrutiny is preferable to an outright ban.In the days before the inquiry began, 19 operators, including Digiplus formed the PlaySafe Alliance of the Philippines. The group states that in doing so they have demonstrated their commitment to responsible gaming, regulatory compliance, consumer protection and combatting illegal gambling.

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Online bookmaker QuestBet has been fined AU$80,000 (£39k) in the state of Victoria for accepting bets from a “distressed customer”.

Suzy Neilan, CEO of the Victoria Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), personally addressed the operator, calling the culture it exhibits of non-compliance with safer gambling standards “concerning”.

“Our investigation of QuestBet’s practices found the bookmaker failed to have in place adequate systems to protect individuals identifiably at risk of gambling harm.

“Minimising gambling harm is an obligation every operator holds – including bookmakers – who must monitor customer wellbeing and intervene if they observe signs of distress.

“This substantial penalty demonstrates the seriousness of the bookmaker’s failure to meet its legal and moral obligations.”

The investigation was launched after the customer themselves submitted a signal to the VGCCC, complaining about the operator allowing them to bet even after suffering significant losses.

“We found that between April and June 2023, the customer contacted QuestBet more than 20 times to request additional credits and bonus bets. On six occasions, they mentioned having experienced several large losses,” Neilan added.

“This was a clear sign that the customer was struggling. A sign that QuestBet chose to ignore, instead encouraging and enabling the customer to keep gambling with the aid of bonus bets in five of the six occasions.

“Consequently, the customer lost about $15k over two months.”

Staff of gambling operators must provide assistance to customers facing negative consequences from gambling.

Australia law mandates that when there are signs of gambling harm, operators are obligated to inform players of the various problem gambling prevention tools available to them. In QuestBet’s case, the VGCCC said this was not done.

“QuestBet suggested none of these, thereby breaching the Victorian Bookmakers’ Association Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct and causing further distress to the customer.

“Nor did the bookmaker formally respond to our request for an explanation for its lack of care or a reason not to be sanctioned, despite requesting, and being granted, several extensions to do so.”

The topic of problem gambling is usually very sensitive, particularly right now in Australia where reports come out one after another about the cost that the problem incurs on the economy.

In 2023, the Victoria government estimated that gambling had cost the state $14.1bn in social harm in the year prior.

South Korea will export K-cycling and K-motorboat racing as global betting markets through the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA).

This was announced at a ceremony held by the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation (KSPO) in London, where it reached a gold standard in integrity by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the IBIA.

The agreement particularly focuses on protecting betting integrity around cycling and motorboat racing, both popular sports among South Korean bettors.

This represents not only a milestone for Korean sports but also for the IBIA, as signing an MOU with an Asian national sports body is the first of its kind for the global integrity organisation.

On signing the MoU with the KSPO, Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, commented: “This agreement marks an important step forward, not only for KSPO and the integrity of K-Cycle and K-Motorboat Racing, but for the advancement of betting integrity standards across Asia.

“IBIA is delighted to support KSPO in setting a benchmark for clean, transparent and accountable sports betting operations in the region. We look forward to building on this partnership and helping to protect the integrity of K-Sports’ products.”

Besides cycling and motorboat racing, horse racing is also legal to place a bet on in South Korea. Other types of allowed gambling include lottery tickets, sports toto, and land-based wagering at Kangwon Land Casino venues – with all three verticals being state-run.

South Korea’s betting market recorded around 25.5 trillion Korean won of total sales (€15.bn) in 2024, with approximately 22.86 million players on the market.

Cycling and motorboat racing alone brought in annual sales of 1.9 Korean won (€1.17bn) and 12.5 million users, amounting to around 7.5% of total betting industry sales in South Korea for 2024.

Also welcoming of the hallmark agreement for Korean sports was Sung-chul Lee, Director General of the KSPO. He remarked: “Through this agreement, KSPO K-Cycle & K-Motorboat Racing has elevated the status of K-Sports and has taken a leap forward to global standards.”

“I would like to express my deep gratitude to Khalid Ali and the IBIA officials for their cooperation in making this agreement successful. Following this agreement, we intend to supply the KSPO K-Cycle & K-Motorboat Racing products to the international betting market, protected by this important integrity collaboration.”

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a ban on online betting apps has forced India’s Supreme Court into talks with the likes of Google and Apple.

Dr K.A. Paul, the individual who filed the litigation, did so with the goal of safeguarding Indian youth and vulnerable people from unregulated online gambling.

Betting and gaming products are being ‘disguised as fantasy sports and skill-based games”, Paul and the other litigation issuers noted in their reasoning.

Within the PIL, there’s two high-profile cases referred to where online betting has led to some nefarious results.

The first involves 25 celebrities, including Bollywood actors, cricketers and influencers, allegedly promoting betting apps in a covert matter earlier in March, with the investigation still ongoing.

The second takes notice of a news article from the state of Telangana, where it’s said that 24 people took their lives as a result of debts incurred from online betting.

Paul and others are urging for the introduction of a uniform legislation for the regulation of online betting “in the name of the larger public interest to safeguard the youth of India from the unregulated, exploitative, and dangerous online betting industry operating under the garb of fantasy sports and skill-based gaming”.

Supreme Court Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi have now begun consultations on the matter with the Reserve Bank of India, the Enforcement Directorate, and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

Private entities with interests in the fantasy sports and online betting scene have also been contacted, such as app store monopolists Google and Apple, as well as major game platforms like A23 Games, Dream11, and Mobile Premier League.

The plea comes at a time when Google is considering relaxing its Real Money Games (RMG) policies for its India Play Store after initial plans to do so were put on hold last year – with the core reason being that India lacks a centralised regulatory framework for gambling.

In another recent development, though it is unclear whether it’s connected to the above, the Enforcement Directorate of India has summoned Google representatives to a hearing related to a suspected case of money laundering through online betting apps listed on the Play Store.

As it stands only three Indian states have regulated online gaming markets, Goa, Daman, and Sikkim. There were murmurs that another state, Karnataka, may launch a mixed market, but it appears that the state government’s ideal regulatory framework would only cover fantasy sports and some ‘games of skill’ like rummy, omitting and essentially banning online sports betting.

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Betfair Pty Limited, owned by Crown Resorts and operating under the brand Betfair Australia, has paid an AUS $871,660 penalty to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for failure to comply with the country’s spam laws.

Following an ACMA investigation, it was revealed that Betfair had sent commercial messages to its VIP programme customers without their consent, offering incentives such as account deposits and free event tickets.

In total, 148 emails and text messages were sent to customers who hadn’t consented or had withdrawn their consent to receive such messages between March and December 2024.

Over the same timeframe, the operator had sent six texts and emails which didn’t contain an unsubscribe option for customers.

“VIP programs are generally designed to attract and retain customers with high betting activity, however this doesn’t mean VIP customers are well off or can afford losses,” commented ACMA member Samantha Yorke.

“Sending promotional gambling messages to these customers without consent or with no option to opt-out is incredibly irresponsible in addition to being non-compliant. The spam laws have been in place for over twenty years and it is simply unacceptable for businesses not to respect the rights of their customers.”

Betfair is also entering a two-year court-enforceable undertaking, which will require investment in an independent marketing message review to see where improvements need to be made, as well as staff training, quarterly internal audits and regular reports to the ACMA.

Betfair isn’t the only operator recently to be subject to a penalty for spamming VIP customers.

Tabcorp Holdings was issued a penalty in excess of $4m after an ACMA investigation found the operator had sent over 5,700 marketing messages to its VIP programme customers between 1 February 2024 and 1 May 2024.

In total, 2,538 SMS and WhatsApp messages were sent to VIP customers without an option to unsubscribe from the messages, while 3,148 SMS and WhatsApp messages were sent over the same period without adequate sender information, and 11 SMS messages were sent without consent between 15 February and 29 April 2024.

Yorke added: “This is the second recent ACMA enforcement action concerning VIP customers in the gambling sector. Providers are on notice that they need to have their compliance systems in order.”

September 15 will see SBC organise a groundbreaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/

Google seeks to apply a policy change to allow the distribution of all ‘permissible real-money games (RMGs) on PlayStore for Indian consumers. The changes aims to address competition concerns to ensure equal access for developers in the RMG category.

A policy revision has been submitted to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in response to an ongoing antitrust claim made by Winzo Games. A developer of skill and RMG titles, Winzo alleges that Google’s current policies unfairly deny market access to its games, but allow PlayStore to promote and distribute apps for fantasy sports and rummy verticals.

Reviewing Winzo’s complaint the CCI is examining whether Google rules set by its ‘pilot programme’ are unfairly restrictive to other RMG developers who have been denied a distribution channel on Android systems.

“Distribution on Google Play is essential for app developers to reach a large audience,” the CCI noted on preliminary findings. “The exclusion of certain RMG apps could result in a denial of market access.”

Playstore has distributed fantasy sports and rummy games since 2022, as they are qualified under Indian law as ‘skill games’. Last year, Google expanded RMG categories under a new ‘pilot porgamme’ for the markets of Brazil, India and Mexico, a decision taken with a view of forthcoming regulatory changes.

However due to a lack of regulatory clarity, Google paused the ‘pilot programme’, choosing to review PlayStore policies on an individual market basis.

In response, Google confirmed that it was willing to review the structure of its pilot programme for India. New policies would see Google accept “all real-money games deemed legal under Indian jurisprudence”.

Eligibility for the Playstore distribution would be granted on the condition of developers securing third-party certification from a recognised industry body, such as AIGF, EGF or FIFS, confirming the game qualifies as a “permissible game of skill.”

Google cites that “The RMG Policy Update ensures that any alleged advantage previously conferred to DFS and rummy apps is eliminated, and the competitive field is levelled.”

For India, Google is prepared to update its Developer Distribution Agreement (DDA) and Developer Programme Policies (DPP) to reflect the new terms. Developers would be required to meet compliance standards not only under Indian law, but also Google’s own platform rules.

Alongside the store update, Google has also proposed revisions to its advertising policies, which currently permit ads only for DFS and rummy games. The new ad policy would similarly apply to all certified RMGs, provided advertisers demonstrate legal standing and obtain third-party validation.

“Google will allow all RMGs… that constitute games of skill to be advertised in India,” the company added. “Any alleged concerns of restrictions imposed on non-DFS or Rummy RMG apps can or will no longer persist in relation to the Ads Policy.”

The CCI is reviewing whether Google’s conduct may have violated Section 4 of India’s Competition Act, which prohibits abuse of dominant market position. Its preliminary view raised concerns about “selective onboarding,” prolonged restrictions on distribution, and “potentially discriminatory enforcement” of Google’s advertising policies.

A final ruling is pending, but if the proposals are accepted, Google would be required to implement the new Play Store framework within 120 days and its ad policy overhaul within 150 days of the CCI’s approval.

“These commitments ensure inclusive access to Google Play and Google Ads for all compliant RMGs,” Google concluded, “eliminating any alleged competitive disadvantages.”

India is one of the largest mobile gaming markets globally, with over 600 million smartphone users and a rapidly expanding real-money gaming ecosystem. However, the space remains tightly contested and frequently litigated, with legal definitions of “skill” vs “chance” under constant scrutiny in state and federal courts.

Google’s proposed policy shift reflects both legal pressure and strategic recalibration, as it seeks to navigate an increasingly regulated and politically sensitive digital ecosystem. The outcome of this CCI case could have broader implications for how global platforms manage legal compliance and content governance in emerging markets.

“We welcome fair competition and are committed to working constructively with regulators to improve developer access and consumer choice,” Google noted.

September 15 will see SBC organise a groundbreaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/

The government of Uzbekistan has applied new ‘gambling violations’ to the Penal Code, in preparation for the launch of a new gambling regime on 9 October 2025.

The penalties have been drafted by the National Agency for Perspective Projects (NAPP) who since 2024 have led the coordination efforts to launch the new Uzbek Law on the “Organization and Conduct of Gambling, Lotteries, and Betting Activities“.

Reforms to the Penal Code are needed to prosecute penalties and sanctions against “resident organizers of illegal online games, lotteries, and betting activities, as well as to foreign legal entities that illegally offer such services to Uzbek citizens.”

New laws introduce sweeping penalties on both domestic and foreign entities in which the government has authorised penalties to be matched to the Uzbek Base Calculation Unit (BRV).

Foreign companies found to be offering gambling services to Uzbek citizens without a local licence will face headline fines of 25,000 BRV , equivalent to €753,000.

In the most extreme cases, new laws will allow authorities to confiscate income gained from illegal gambling, with businesses blocked from Uzbek banks, internet access and services offered by financial institutions.

The same penalties will apply to any illegal establishment found operating physical casinos, betting shops, or mobile gambling terminals inside Uzbekistan.

Businesses that breach anti-money laundering standards or misuse personal data will be fined 15,000 BRV, amounting to around €452,000, while accepting deposits or stakes for unlicensed games can lead to €301,000 in penalties.

Capital Guarantee on Licences
Operators must meet stringent financial thresholds before even applying for a licence. Firms seeking to launch online sportsbooks or casinos will be required to hold a minimum authorised capital of UZS 56.25 billion, roughly €3.9 million, while lottery operators must show capitalisation of at least €1.4 million.

A reserve fund designed to guarantee payout capacity — will also be required: €1.75 million for gambling operators, and just over €945,000 for those in the lottery sector.

NAPP will oversee the launch of the new gambling regime, fulfilling the role of regulatory placeholder as the government will establish a centralised authority to govern gambling activities, licencing, transactions and conduct

In its role, NAPP maintains the legislation and licensing will represent “a pivot away from prohibition and toward regulated oversight, with zero tolerance for grey market actors.”

A Calculated Regime
Since 2019, the liberalisation of Uzbekistan’s gambling market has been a subject of ongoing parliamentary debate. In 2024, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took decisive action via direct intervention, formally authorising the launch of a regulated gambling regime.

The president tasked NAPP to lead the mandate on the condition that revenues from the sector would be directed toward funding national programmes for sports infrastructure and athlete development.

A key project will see Uzbekistan’s regime built on a centralised system to monitor gambling transactions user accounts, bets and winnings will be recorded via the Unified State Register of Bets and Players (USRBP).

The government-run platform that allows the regulator to monitor financial flows in real time. The system will also enforce monthly wagering limits and store player identities, adding a layer of consumer protection uncommon in emerging markets.

Notably, the law empowers the Uzbek new gambling authority to act as both regulator and enforcer. Sanctions will be determined by the agency’s director following an internal review by its Sanctions Commission. Offending businesses will receive formal notice within three business days and will have 15 days to appeal to either the NAPP’s internal appellate council or to a civil court.

The government notes that 50% of all fines will flow directly into the National Budget, with the remaining half supporting NAPP’s operations. However, payment of fines does not exempt companies from further criminal or administrative consequences.

“This is not a pay-to-play regime,” NAPP has stated to applicants “It’s a compliance-first market that will reward transparency and capital discipline.”

Gambling has long been banned in Uzbekistan outlawed outright in 2007 — with limited exceptions carved out for state-licensed lotteries. The 2025 reforms mark a strategic reversal, positioned less as a liberalisation and more as a state-controlled monetisation of behaviour that has persisted underground for years.

In an official memo, the government justified the shift by pointing to the need to formalise economic activity, strengthen AML controls, and direct revenues to public coffers.

Licensing guidelines are expected in the coming weeks, with the first wave of applications to open before the October launch. As Central Asia’s most populous country embraces legal betting, its success will hinge on whether ambitious tech and regulatory projects can keep consumers safe from a unlicensed operators active in the market